Hi - many of you know me but if you happen upon this...My name is kika and I am the Retreat Programs Coordinator at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Just recently I moved from California to Alaska to be with my kids, my babies, and my everything. I drove here in September. Little did I know the cost it would be to make such a move.

Before I left California, I wanted to secure a nice, safe, clean and affordable place to live. I thought I found such a place... but did not.

I have found myself in an apartment with pet urine-saturated carpets, the cabinet directly under the sink warped of mildew and most of the kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers all needing to be fixed.

By this time, I had already signed the lease from California. Trusting when they said the apartment would be in move-in condition upon my arrival. I did ask if they could put me in another unit but none were available. They did replace the carpet in only two of the three carpeted rooms but the third room is completely unusable. They did nothing to rectify the mildew or mold.

Very long story, short - I must move now because something in this apartment has caused me to be ill, I've been sick the whole time I've been here. I wake up with a headache, a sore throat and watery, itchy eyes.

The leasing company does not agree that this is a good reason to break my lease and is charging a fee of twice my monthly rent to break my lease.

Though this may be can potentially be a legally actionable act, I can make against the leasing company, this still leaves me needing to leave. And to be honest, I just don't want to give this any more of my time and energy.

I have found a beautifully clean, safe and warm unit, owned by a kind and friendly couple. But I now need to pay the security deposit, and the first month's rent and this is where I am asking for help.

with deep bows and gratitude,

I thank you in advance for reading my story and for your consideration.